10 October 2025
On this World Mental Health Day, the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) reaffirms its commitment to strengthening mental health systems across South-Eastern Europe — especially in times of crisis and emergency.
When communities face conflict, displacement, natural disasters, or pandemics, access to mental health care is often disrupted — yet these are precisely the moments when it is needed most.
Strong, connected communities are not only the first line of support in such situations — they are also the foundation of recovery, resilience, and hope.
In 2025, the global theme reminds us that mental health thrives in connection, compassion, and community.
By investing in people and in systems that keep communities together, we help ensure that no one is left behind, even in the most challenging times.
🌐SEEHN’s Commitment:
Together, with our Member States, partners, and international organizations, SEEHN through the Regional Health Development Center on Mental Health, hosted by Bosnia and Herzegovina, continues to:
– Promote community-based mental health services that bring care closer to people.
– Support national efforts to strengthen resilient mental health systems.
– Prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of the health workforce, who are at the heart of every community’s response.
– In humanitarian and emergency settings, advocate for mental health as an essential part of preparedness, response, and recovery.
– Foster cross-sector cooperation among health, education, and social services.
– Challenge stigma through awareness, dialogue, and education.
– Build peer networks and local partnerships that empower communities to care and connect.
The SEEHN remains dedicated to its continued efforts to maintain mental health high on the policy makers agenda.

📸 Photo by UN and WHO

The South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) and the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) continued their fruitful partnership in 2025 by supporting the participation of SEEHN representatives in the EHFG Annual Conference under the theme “Rethinking Solidarity in Health: Healing Europe’s Fractured Social Contract.”

Participation of Ms. Lejla Krvavac, Coordinator of the SEEHN Regional Health Development Centre on Mental Health, Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Mr. Radu Plamadeala, Head of the Department for Public Policy Coordination and European Integration, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, was made possible through funding from the SEEHN Secretariat and the support of the EHFG.

Prior to the conference, both participants took part in the sixth edition of the EHFG 2025 Capacity-Building Initiative for Policymakers, a 1.5-day pre-conference workshop on “Global Health Diplomacy.” The training explored the intersection between global health and foreign policy, offering participants hands-on experience through simulated multilateral negotiations.

This joint initiative reinforces SEEHN’s commitment to fostering cross-border cooperation, strengthening health diplomacy capacities, and promoting active engagement of South-Eastern European policymakers in shaping Europe’s health agenda.

Skopje, North Macedonia – 2 October 2025
The South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) actively contributed to the Annual Forum of the Regional Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, held in Skopje from 30 September to 2 October 2025.

Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Director of the SEEHN Secretariat, delivered a keynote intervention during Session 1 on Universal Health Coverage to Accelerate Progress in Cervical Cancer Prevention. She emphasized that while cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, it remains a leading cause of mortality among women in South-Eastern Europe due to gaps in HPV vaccination, screening, and access to treatment.

Dr. Paduraru underlined SEEHN’s role as the only intergovernmental regional platform dedicated to health cooperation across nine Member States, with more than 23 years of collective action. She highlighted the contributions of SEEHN’s Regional Health Development Centers (RHDCs) — including the RHDC on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Romania, RHDC on Communicable Diseases in Albania and the RHDC on Non-Communicable Diseases in Montenegro — in advancing prevention, policy advocacy, and capacity building.

Key messages from SEEHN’s intervention included:

• The need to strengthen HPV vaccination coverage through school-based and community programs.
• Expanding organized screening, supported by interoperable digital registries.
• Ensuring equitable access to diagnostics and treatment, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Leveraging EU and international partnerships for sustainable financing.
• Building trust through awareness and addressing stigma around sexual and reproductive health.

“Cervical cancer is preventable, yet too many women in South-Eastern Europe are still dying from it. This is unacceptable. Together, we can make elimination not only a vision but a regional reality,” said Dr. Paduraru.

The Forum, convened by UNFPA in partnership with WHO/Europe and regional stakeholders, served as a platform to align strategies, reinforcing commitments to universal health coverage and gender equity.